(a) Establishment

There is established within the Foundation a Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

(b) Composition; presiding officer; changes in membership to meet changes in programs or executive branch organization

Terms Used In 20 USC 958

  • arts: includes , but is not limited to, music (instrumental and vocal), dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, industrial design, costume and fashion design, motion pictures, television, radio, film, video, tape and sound recording, the arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of such major art forms, all those traditional arts practiced by the diverse peoples of this country. See 20 USC 952
  • humanities: includes , but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical. See 20 USC 952
  • officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
  • State: includes , in addition to the several States of the Union, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. See 20 USC 952

The Council shall be composed of the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Gallery of Art, the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, the Archivist of the United States, the Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, the Assistant Secretary for Aging, a member designated by the Secretary of State, and a member designated by the Secretary of the Interior, a member designated by the Chairman of the Senate Commission on Art and Antiquities, and a member designated by the Speaker of the House. The President shall designate the presiding officer of the Council from among the members. The President is authorized to change the membership of the Council from time to time as the President deems necessary to meet changes in Federal programs or executive branch organization.

(c) Functions

The Council shall—

(1) advise and consult with the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities on major problems arising in carrying out the purposes of the Foundation;

(2) advise and consult with the National Museum Services Board and with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on major problems arising in carrying out the purposes of such Institute;

(3) coordinate, by advice and consultation, so far as is practicable, the policies and operations of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, including joint support of activities, as appropriate;

(4) promote coordination between the programs and activities of the Foundation and related programs and activities of other Federal agencies;

(5) plan and coordinate appropriate participation (including productions and projects) in major and historic national events;

(6) undertake studies and make reports which address the state of the arts and humanities, particularly with respect to their economic needs and problems; and

(7) encourage an ongoing dialogue in support of the arts and the humanities among Federal agencies.

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